NRES 488/688

DYNAMICS AND MANAGEMENT OF WILDLIFE POPULATIONS

 

   

Lecture:                      M,W 9-9:50 am

127 KRC

 

Lab:                            M 2-5 pm

                                    127 KRC

 

Graduate seminar:     1:30-3:30 T  

Instructor:                  Jim Sedinger

                                    Office: 133 KRC

                                    Phone: 784-6556

                                    Email: jsedinger@cabnr.unr.edu

 

TA:                              Jessi Brown

                                    107 KRC

 

Course objective: This course is intended to provide students with the basic tools for the modeling, analysis and management of wildlife populations.  The course will involve modeling of population data and estimation of key parameters such as abundance, survival and breeding probability.  Students will experience the philosophy underlying scientific management, and interpretation and decision-making in the face of uncertainty existing in ecological systems of interest to managers.

 

Course materials: Readings will be from the recommended text:

Williams, B. K., J.D. Nichols, and M. J. Conroy. 2002. Analysis and Management of Animal Populations. Academic Press, San Diego ;

and selected readings from other texts and the primary literature. 

 

Student integrity policy: Students are expected to work completely independently on examinations (in class and take home).  Plagiarism (using other's words or ideas without attribution) is not consistent with the integrity required of scientists or natural resource managers and will not be tolerated.  Students violating either of these standards will receive a failing grade in the class.  Students are free to work together on homework and, of course, team projects. 

 

Grading:

 

            Undergraduates:

 

                        Homework                               10%

                        Midterm I                                 20%

                        Team project                            40%

                        Final Examination                      30%

 

            Graduate students:

 

                        Midterm I                                 20%

                        Seminar participation                15%

                        Presentations                            35%

                        Final Examination                     30%

 

 

Graduate and undergraduate students will be graded separately on items, like examinations, completed by both groups.  Graduate students will be expected to demonstrate greater depth and a higher degree of synthesis.  Graduate students will meet separately to discuss current literature.